Hepatitis Scare for Catholics in the Hamptons

There is even more trouble for the Catholic Church, after reports today in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal that 1,300 parishoners in a Long Island church were possibly infected with hepatitis A after taking communion at Christmas mass. The wafers were handled by someone who carries the disease.

Because the virus is spread by ingestion, and wafers are eaten, the Nassau County Health Department on Monday urged all 1,300 people who attended those Masses at Our Lady of Lourdes Church here to get vaccinated immediately.

The Centers for Disease Control explains that hepatitis A has an incubation period of 28 days and that most symptoms—including fever, fatique, vomiting, jaundice and joint pain—will appear within two months.

CORRECTION: We've changed the headline. Something like this would never happen in the Hamptons.